Coupling apparatus for the mooring of boats or the like

ABSTRACT

A coupling apparatus has two sections movable relative to each other for effecting connection and disconnection therebetween; one the the sections includes a generally tubular housing with ball type detent means carried thereby which detents are radially movable with respect to the tubular housing; a plunger-like member within the tubular housing served to hold the ball detents radially outwardly and thereby keep an outer sleeve in a cocked position; the other of the two sections includes a shaft-like extension provided with an annular groove formed near the outermost end thereof which, when inserted into the tubular housing, is effective for depressing the plunger and having the ball detents move radially inwardly to be at least partly received in the annular groove; the outer sleeve is biased toward a second position whereat it prevents the radial outward movement of the ball detents thereby resulting in the shaft-like extension being securely connected to the tubular housing.

United States Patent 1191 Knecht 1451 Feb.26,1974

1 COUPLING APPARATUS FOR THE MOORING OF BOATS OR THE LIKE [76] Inventor:Hillery G. Knecht, 2766 W 11 Mile,

Berkley, Mich. 48072 [22] Filed: Mar. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,477

[52] US. Cl 24/230 AN, 24/211 L, 114/230, 85/5 B, 339/91 B [51] Int. Cl.A44b 17/00. A44b ll/25 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,319,213 5/1967 Mas 339/91 B 1,260,469 3/1918 Smith 292/148 2,708,5895/1955 Masek 285/277 1,941,856 l/l934 Fraley 285/80 2,297,548 9/1942 Fox285/316 3,081,663 3/1963 Davis 24/211 3,420,497 1/1969 Wilcox 285/2771,711,771 5/1929 Bourque 24/211 L 3,094,345 6/1963 Gaylord 24/211 L3,608,962 9/1971 Knecht .L. 24/211 L 3,631,377

12/1971 Ball 85/5 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,557,542 4/1970Germany 24/211 Primary ExaminerBemard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, orFirmLon H. Romanski [5 7] ABSTRACT A coupling apparatus has two sectionsmovable relative to each other for effecting connection anddisconnection therebetween; one the the sections includes a generallytubular housing with ball type detent means carried thereby whichdetents are'radially movable with r e spect to the tubular lioififigfaplungerm member within the tubularhousing served to hold the balldetents radially outwardly and thereby keep an outer sleeve in a cockedposition; the other of the two sections includes a shaft-like extensionprovided with an annular groove formed near the outer-most end thereofwhich, when inserted into the tubular housing, is effective fordepressing the plunger and having the ball detents move radiallyinwardly to be at least partly received in the annular groove; the outersleeve 'is biased toward a second position whereat it prevents theradial outward movement of the ball detents thereby resulting in theshaft-like extension being securely connected to the tubular housing.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEDFEBZBIQY4 I $793,685

a INVENTOR.

/flay 62 @eci ATTORNEYS I APPARATUS FOR THE MOORING O BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION In many instances it becomes difficult, especially to thosewho are either of limited dexterity or not mechanically inclined, toeffect the necessary motions, etc to bring about, for example, the swiftand safe mooring of a boat to a related docking structure. This often inthe past, has required the use of lines or ropes with attendant tying ofknots which, more often than not, were not properly made resulting inthe creation of free lines after the boat was left unattended.

The invention as herein disclosed and described is directly concernedwith the solution of the above as well as other related problems and, ingeneral, addresses itself to the provision of simply actuated mechanicalcoupling apparatus for the coupling or joining of two related sectionsrelatively movable with respect to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a couplingapparatus, for the mooringof boats or the like, comprises first andsecond coupling sections movable relative to each other, said firstcoupling section comprises a housing, a first passage formed in saidhousing, at least one detent member carried by said housing, secondpassage means formed through a wall of said housing as to times permitsaid detent member to extend into said first passage a predetermineddistance, expander means carried by said housing and effective for attimes operatively engaging and keeping said detent member from extendinginto said first passage said predetermined distance, and an outer sleevemember carried by said housing and movable relative thereto, said sleevehaving two operating positions, and said second coupling sectioncomprising a shaft-like extension including recess means formed thereon,said shaft-like extension being adapted from insertion into said firstpassage and for actuation of said expander means whereby said detentmember is permitted to extend into said first passage and into saidrecess means, the first of said two operation positions rendering saidsleeve effective for permitting said expander means to move said detentmember in a direction away from said first passage, and the second ofsaid two operation positions rendering said sleeve effective forpreventing said detent member to be moved out of said recess meansthereby preventing said two sections from being disconnected fro eachother.

Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentwhen reference is made to the following detailed description consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein for purposes ofclarity, certain details or elements may be omitted from one or moreviews:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a boat and docking structure,equipped with a coupling apparatus of the invention, with the boat aboutto undergo a mooring operation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the coupling apparatus of FIG. 1 withportions thereof in axial cross-reaction.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the coupling apparatus ina connected condition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line4--4 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 55of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in greater detailto the drawings, FIG. 1 somewhat pictorially illustrates aboat 10situated in water 12 and approaching a docking structure 14 to which theboat 10 will become moored.

The boat 10 carries a suitable retainer 16 to which is secured a mooringline 18 which, for example, may be a rope of any suitable material. Theend of rope line 18 is secured to and carries a quick-disconnect type ofcoupling device 20, constructed in accordance with the invention, whichcooperates with a mooring type anchor 22 secured to the dock 14, inorder to thereby moor or secure the boat 10 to the dock 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates the juxtaposed coupling device 20 and mooring anchor22 as generally respectively comprising female and male type connectingportions. For example, coupling device 20 is illustrated as comprising amain body 24 having an outer cylindrical surface 26 and an innercylindrical passageway 28 which at its inner end terminates in acup-like seat 30 for the reception therein of one end of a coiledcompression spring 32. A cup-shaped plunger member 34 is slideablyreceived within passageway 28, and in turn, receives therein the otherend of spring 32.

The wall of main body 24 has a plurality of angularly spaced generallyradially directed apertures 36, 38, and 40 formed therethrough with suchapertures having side walls tapering toward each other at the radiallyinner-most ends thereof. Apertures 36, 38, and 40 respectively receivetherein balls 42, 44, and 46 and in so doing generally function as ballseats. However, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the relative sizes ofthe balls 42, 44, and 46 and seats or apertures 36, 38, and 40 are suchas to at times permit the balls 42, 44, and 46 to extend into the centerpassageway 28. As will become apparent, such balls 42, 44, and 46 whenextended into passageway 28 provide for a locking engagement with theanchor 22.

The axial location of such apertures 36, 38, and 40 is such as to begenerally juxtaposed to the plunger 34 whenever plunger 34 is moved tothe position as shown in FIG. 2 which can be considered generally asthat position determined by the free length of spring 32. Wheneverplunger or actuator 34 moves to the position shown in FIG. 2, thediameter of plunger 34 is such as to engage and move balls 42, 44, and46 radially outwardly, but still within respective apertures 36, 38, and40, so that the balls 42, 44, and 46 extend some distance beyond theouter cylindrical surface 26 of main body 24.

A generally tubular sleeve 48 has an inner cylindrical surface 50slideably received about the outer cylindrical surface 26 of main body24. As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 48 has an inner annular groove 52which, when the sleeve 48 is in its retracted position of FIG. 2,permits the balls 42, 44, and 46 which are extending beyond the outercylindrical surface 26 of main body 24 to be partly received within theannular recess 52. A shoulder-like groove or counterbore 54 formed inthe inner surface of sleeve 48 slides over a cylindrical surface 56 ofenlarged diameter formed on the main body 24 and serves to contain acoiled compression spring 58 therein which continually urges the sleeve48 to the left fromthe position shown in FIG. 2. A third inner annularrecess of groove 60 formed as at near the forward end of sleeve 48serves to both receive a lock-type ring 62 suitably secured to bodymember 24 as well as to axially abut thereagainst in order to determinethe proper axial position of annular recess 52 when the sleeve 48 is inits retracted position (shown in FIG. 2) and to limit the forwardmovement of sleeve 48 whith respect to body 24 as depicted in FIG. 3.

The right hand end of main body 24 is formed of a generally thin-walledcup-shaped configuration 64 which preferably includes a plurality ofaxially or longitudinally extending slots 66 formed therein. The innerclearance or passageway 68 is of a size to receive therein an end 70 ofrope line 18. An outer nut 72, provided with an internally threadedportion 74 adapted for threadable engagement with an externally threadedportion 76 formed on the cup-like structure 64, has an inner tapered orconical surface 78 which functions as a camming surface, against theslotted wall portions of cup structure 64, in order to, as it is beingthreaded onto the cup 64, force the slotted wall portions thereofradially inwardly thereby squeezing and retaining the end 70 of ropeline 18 secured to the connector assembly 20.

Figure also illustrates the male anchor 22 as comprising a main body 80with a base 82 having laterally extending base portions 84 and 86through which suitable fastening devices such as screws 88 may pass forsecuring the anchor to a related structure as, for example, the dock,14.

A cylindrical probe or shaft portion 90 carried by body 80 extendslaterally therefrom and is of outer diameter small enough to, ideally,be closely slideably received within the passageway 28 of main body 24.Spaced some distance axially inwardly of the end 92 of shaft connector90 is an outer annular groove or recess 94 which, as shown, ispreferably provided with annular side walls 96 andd 98. Also, the end 92is preferably formed to have at least the portion 100 approaching theouter diameter thereof, contoured the benefits of which will becomeapparent. Althouh not entirely necessary, nevertheless in enhancing theoperation of the 'invention, a shoulder 102 may be formed on member 22and so spaced relative to groove 94 so that when the left end of mainbody 24 abuts thereagainst that groove 94 is in position to receive theballs 42, 44, and 46.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION When, for example, the boat is approachingdocking all that is needed is to first bring the coupling device intogeneral axial alignment with the anchor member 22, as shown in FIG. 2,and to push the connector assembly 20 onto the end of the anchor 22.

As connector assembly 20 and anchor 22 are moved relatively toward eachother, end 92 first enters passageway 28 and with further movement abutsagainst plunger or latch tripping member 34. With further movement, end92 forces plunger 34 toward the right (as viewed in FIG. 2) relative tothe main body 24 against the resilient resistance of spring 32.

After plunger 34 has moved a sufficient distance to the right, balls 42,44, and 46 are permitted to move radially inwardly from the positionsshown in both FIGS. 2 and 5. The tendency for balls 42, 44, and 46 tomove radially, inwardly is brought about by the combined ac tion ofcoiled compression spring 58 continually urging the sleeve 48 to theleft and the inclined annular surface 104 in groove 52 bearing againstballs 42, 44, and 46 with a reactive force directed radially inwardly.Any tendency for the balls 42, 44, and 46 to get caught as between theforward ends of plunger 34 and end 92 of connector extension is avoidedas by the contoured surface 100.

When the balls 42, 44, and 46 are thereby permitted to move radiallyinwardly their maximum amount, anchor extension 90 is so positionedwithin body 24 as to place the groove 94 in position to partiallyreceive the balls 42, 44, and 46 therein shown in FIG. 3. Of course, asballs 42, 44, and 46 are received by groove 94 of extension 90 they moveout of the annular groove 52 in sleeve 48 thereby removing themselves asblocking abutments to the movement of sleeve 48 permitting spring 58 tomove the sleeve 48 to the leftassuming the position shown in FIG. 3.

Detachment of the mooring or connecting means is easily accomplished bymerely moving the sleeve 48 to the right from the position ahown in FIG.3. That is, for example, if sleeve 48 is grasped and moved toward theright, its initial movement will have no effect in disconnecting thelatching assembly 20 from the anchor assembly 22; during such initialmovement, spring 58 is undergoing compression thereby creating a forceagainst main body 24 which tends to move the body 24 and balls 42, 44,and 46 to the right. However, an equal and opposite reaction force isdeveloped by the surface 98 against balls 42, 44, and 46 which reactionforce prevents the movement of main body 24 to the right. It should alsobe noted that because of the inclined nature of surface 98 detent balls42, 44, and 46 also experience a force component of such a reactionforce tending to move the detent or latching balls radially outwardlybut that such outward movement thereof is precluded by the cylindricalsurface 50 of sleeve 48.

When sleeve 48 has been moved sufficiently to the right, the innerannular groove or recess 52 becomes generally radially aligned withdetent or locking balls 42, 44, and 46 thereby permitting the previouslydescribed force component to move the detent balls radially outwardlyinto recess 52 and out of engagement with groove 94 in the extension 90.As soon as the detent balls are thereby moved, main body 24 moves to theright relative to extension 90 and plunger 34 moves to the left,relative to main body 24, eventually assuming the position shown in FIG.2 whereat the outer surface thereof functions to hold the detent ballsin the radially outermost positions so as to partially extend intogroove 52 and thereby hold the spring biased sleeve 48 in the positionsshown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, a clearance passageway 106 may be formed throughmain body 24 for use with associated locking means as, for example, akey-operated.

padlock 108. That is, as described above, in order to disconnect thedevice 20 from anchor 22, aleeve 48 must be moved to the right.Therefore, by passing the padlock hasp 110 through passageway 106 andthen locking it in the body 112 the hasp becomes an abutment preventingthe unauthorized movement of sleeve 48 in the direction resulting indisconnection of anchor 22 and assembly 20.

In view of the preceding it can be seen that the invention providesapparatus for quickly connecting and disconnecting a movable member,such as the assembly 20, to and from a fixed member, such as the anchor22. In it application as a mooring means, it eliminates the need fortrying to tie lines to an associated docking structure and, at the sametime, provides an arrangement whereby such connection once made, can bepreeluded from unauthorized disconnection.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed anddescribed, it is apparent that other embodiments and modifications ofthe invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coupling apparatus, for the mooring of boats or the like,comprising first and second coupling sections movable relative to eachother, said first coupling section comprising a housing, a first passagehaving a forwardly directed open end formed in said housing, at leastone detent member carried by said housing, second passage means formedthrough a wall of said housing as to at times permit said detent memberto extend into said first passage a predetermined distance, apiston-like expander means having a radially outer axially extendingcylindrical surface, said piston-like expander means being carried bysaid housing as to have said cylindrical surface slidably guided by andwithin said first passage and effective for at times operativelyengaging and keeping said detent member from extending into said firstpassage said predetermined distance, an outer radially non-deflectabletubular sleeve member carried by said housing and movable relativethereto along a longitudinal axis of said sleeve member, said outertubular sleeve member having opposed first and second open ends slidablyreceiving said housing therethrough, said sleeve being of unitarystructure as to have a continuous and uninterrupted cross-sectionalconfiguration when viewed in a plane transverse with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said sleeve, said sleeve having a radially outerand axially extending exposed actuating surface adapted for directmanual engagement for manually moving said sleeve axially to one of twooperating positions, and said second coupling section comprising ashaft-like extension including generally radially outwardly open firstrecess means formed thereon, said shaft-like extension being adapted forinsertion into said first passage through said forwardly directedopening and for actuation of said piston-like expander means wherebysaid detent member is permitted to extend into said first passage andinto said first recess means, an inner generally radially inwardly opensecond recess means formed in said sleeve member, only the first of saidtwo operating positions rendering said sleeve effective for permittingsaid piston-like expander means to move said detent member in adirection away from said first passage, said sleeve being locked againstaxial movement whenever said piston-like expander means has moved saiddetent in a direction away from said first passage and at least partlyinto said radially inwardly open recess means of said sleeve, and thesecond of said two operating positions rendering said sleeve effectivefor positively preventing said detent member to be moved out of saidrecess means thereby preventing said two sections from beingdisconnected from each other, and spring means carried generally aboutsaid housing for continually axially resiliently urging said sleeve fromsaid first of said two operating positions to said second of said twooperating positions, said piston-like expander means comprising acup-like member slideably received within said first passage and havinga closed transverse wall portion facing said forwardly directed openend, and second spring means situated generally within said firstpassage and partly received within said cup-like member for urging saidcuplike member toward said forwardly directed open end of said firstpassage.

2. A coupling apparatus, for the mooring of boats or the like,comprising first and second coupling sections movable relative to eachother, said first coupling section comprising a housing, a first passagehaving a forwardly directed open end formed in said housing, at leastone detent member carried by said housing, second passage means formedthrough a wall of said housing as to at times permit said detent memberto extend into said first passage a predetermined distance, pistonlikeexpander means having a radially outer axially extending cylindricalsurface, said piston-like expander means being carried by said housingas to have said cylindrical surface slidably guided by and within saidfirst passage and effective for at times operatively engaging andkeeping said detent member from extending into said first passage saidpredetermined distance, an outer radially non-deflectable tubular sleevemember'carried by said housing and movable relative thereto along alongitudinal axis of said sleeve member, said outer tubular sleevemember having opposed first and second open ends slidably receiving saidhousing therethrough, said sleeve being of unitary structure as to havea continuous and uninterrupted cross-sectional configuration when viewedin a plane transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of saidsleeve, said sleeve having a radially outer and axially extendingexposed actuating surface adapted for direct manual engagement formanually moving said sleeve axially to one of two operating positions,and said second coupling section comprising a shaft-like extensionincluding generally radially outwardly open first recess means formedthereon, said shaft-like extension being adapted for insertion into saidfirst passage through said forwardly directed opening and for actuationof said piston-like expander means whereby said detent member ispermitted to extend into said first passage and into said first recessmeans, an inner generally radially inwardly open second recess meansformed in said sleeve member, only the first of said two operatingpositions rendering said sleeve effective for permitting saidpiston-like expander means to move said detent member in a directionaway from said first passage, said sleeve being locked against axialmovement whenever said piston-like expander means has moved said detentin a direction away from said first passage and at least partly intosaid radially inwardly open recess means of said sleeve, and the secondof said two operating positions rendering said sleeve effective forpositively preventing said detent member to be moved out of said recessmeans thereby preventing said two sections from being disconnected fromeach other, and spring means carried generally about said housing forcontinually axially resiliently urging said sleeve from said first ofsaid two operating positions to said second of said two operatingpositions, and additional means disengageably carried by said housingand adapted for presenting an abutment surface at one end of said outersleeve member in order to prevent said outer member from moving fromsaid capable of accepting therein said additional means in a manner soas to extend a distance sufficiently radially outwardly beyond saidhousing as to be in the general path of travel of said outer sleevemember as said outer sleeve member is attempted to be moved from saidsecond operating position to said first operating position.

4. A coupling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said additionalmeans comprisesa lock with a hasp portion thereof extending through saidthird passage.

1. A coupling apparatus, for the mooring of boats or the like,comprising first and second coupLing sections movable relative to eachother, said first coupling section comprising a housing, a first passagehaving a forwardly directed open end formed in said housing, at leastone detent member carried by said housing, second passage means formedthrough a wall of said housing as to at times permit said detent memberto extend into said first passage a predetermined distance, apiston-like expander means having a radially outer axially extendingcylindrical surface, said piston-like expander means being carried bysaid housing as to have said cylindrical surface slidably guided by andwithin said first passage and effective for at times operativelyengaging and keeping said detent member from extending into said firstpassage said predetermined distance, an outer radially nondeflectabletubular sleeve member carried by said housing and movable relativethereto along a longitudinal axis of said sleeve member, said outertubular sleeve member having opposed first and second open ends slidablyreceiving said housing therethrough, said sleeve being of unitarystructure as to have a continuous and uninterrupted cross-sectionalconfiguration when viewed in a plane transverse with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said sleeve, said sleeve having a radially outerand axially extending exposed actuating surface adapted for directmanual engagement for manually moving said sleeve axially to one of twooperating positions, and said second coupling section comprising ashaftlike extension including generally radially outwardly open firstrecess means formed thereon, said shaft-like extension being adapted forinsertion into said first passage through said forwardly directedopening and for actuation of said piston-like expander means wherebysaid detent member is permitted to extend into said first passage andinto said first recess means, an inner generally radially inwardly opensecond recess means formed in said sleeve member, only the first of saidtwo operating positions rendering said sleeve effective for permittingsaid piston-like expander means to move said detent member in adirection away from said first passage, said sleeve being locked againstaxial movement whenever said piston-like expander means has moved saiddetent in a direction away from said first passage and at least partlyinto said radially inwardly open recess means of said sleeve, and thesecond of said two operating positions rendering said sleeve effectivefor positively preventing said detent member to be moved out of saidrecess means thereby preventing said two sections from beingdisconnected from each other, and spring means carried generally aboutsaid housing for continually axially resiliently urging said sleeve fromsaid first of said two operating positions to said second of said twooperating positions, said piston-like expander means comprising acup-like member slideably received within said first passage and havinga closed transverse wall portion facing said forwardly directed openend, and second spring means situated generally within said firstpassage and partly received within said cuplike member for urging saidcup-like member toward said forwardly directed open end of said firstpassage.
 2. A coupling apparatus, for the mooring of boats or the like,comprising first and second coupling sections movable relative to eachother, said first coupling section comprising a housing, a first passagehaving a forwardly directed open end formed in said housing, at leastone detent member carried by said housing, second passage means formedthrough a wall of said housing as to at times permit said detent memberto extend into said first passage a predetermined distance, piston-likeexpander means having a radially outer axially extending cylindricalsurface, said piston-like expander means being carried by said housingas to have said cylindrical surface slidably guided by and within saidfirst passage and effective for at times operatively engaging andkeeping said detent member from eXtending into said first passage saidpredetermined distance, an outer radially non-deflectable tubular sleevemember carried by said housing and movable relative thereto along alongitudinal axis of said sleeve member, said outer tubular sleevemember having opposed first and second open ends slidably receiving saidhousing therethrough, said sleeve being of unitary structure as to havea continuous and uninterrupted cross-sectional configuration when viewedin a plane transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of saidsleeve, said sleeve having a radially outer and axially extendingexposed actuating surface adapted for direct manual engagement formanually moving said sleeve axially to one of two operating positions,and said second coupling section comprising a shaft-like extensionincluding generally radially outwardly open first recess means formedthereon, said shaft-like extension being adapted for insertion into saidfirst passage through said forwardly directed opening and for actuationof said piston-like expander means whereby said detent member ispermitted to extend into said first passage and into said first recessmeans, an inner generally radially inwardly open second recess meansformed in said sleeve member, only the first of said two operatingpositions rendering said sleeve effective for permitting saidpiston-like expander means to move said detent member in a directionaway from said first passage, said sleeve being locked against axialmovement whenever said piston-like expander means has moved said detentin a direction away from said first passage and at least partly intosaid radially inwardly open recess means of said sleeve, and the secondof said two operating positions rendering said sleeve effective forpositively preventing said detent member to be moved out of said recessmeans thereby preventing said two sections from being disconnected fromeach other, and spring means carried generally about said housing forcontinually axially resiliently urging said sleeve from said first ofsaid two operating positions to said second of said two operatingpositions, and additional means disengageably carried by said housingand adapted for presenting an abutment surface at one end of said outersleeve member in order to prevent said outer member from moving fromsaid second operating position to said first operating position therebylocking said first coupling section to said second coupling section,said additional means being disengageable from said housing withouteffecting the magnitude of the resilient force exerted by said springmeans against said sleeve member.
 3. A coupling apparatus according toclaim 2 and further comprising a third passage formed generallytransversely of and in said housing, said third passage being capable ofaccepting therein said additional means in a manner so as to extend adistance sufficiently radially outwardly beyond said housing as to be inthe general path of travel of said outer sleeve member as said outersleeve member is attempted to be moved from said second operatingposition to said first operating position.
 4. A coupling apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein said additional means comprises a lockwith a hasp portion thereof extending through said third passage.